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6.2 - Concession - Clauses - Speakout Advanced
6.2 - Concession - Clauses - Speakout Advanced
6.2 - Concession - Clauses - Speakout Advanced
2 Concessive clause
A concessive clause is a clause which expresses an idea that suggests the opposite of
the main part of the sentence.
OR
Structure:
Examples:
Despite and in spite of do not introduce a concessive clause. They are rather followed
by a noun or a verb+ing form.
Structure
Examples:
However despite the fact that/ in spite of the fact that introduce a concessive clause.
In spite of the fact/ Despite the fact that we had no ID on us, the porter let us in.
Notwithstanding
Notwithstanding is a synonym of despite or in spite of something, and so we use it to
indicate an aspect of contrast.
E.g.
● Notwithstanding the bad weather, we had a picnic at the beach.
● Notwithstanding the fact that he was very unwell, David came first in the Maths exam.
However
Use however at the beginning of a second sentence
E.g. Her job is hard. However, her salary is low.
While, whereas and whilst (formal) can mean although. The while/ whereas/
whilst clause can come before or after the main clause. One more example:
Much as:
Much as also means although and it is used with verbs for like and hate to talk about
strong feelings.
Much as I like James as a friend, I could never date him.
Much as it pains me to say this, we'll have to cancel the trip.
Yet:
Even so
Even so is a prepositional phrase that can be used in a similar fashion to introduce a fact that is
surprising in the context of what has been said before. It connects ideas between clauses or
sentences:
I know her English isn't very good, but even so I can understand her.
It rained, but even so we enjoyed the day.
The evidence was only circumstantial. Even so, he was convicted and spent ten years in prison
for a crime that he perhaps did not commit.
There are a lot of spelling mistakes; even so, it's quite a good essay.
There are a lot of spelling mistakes. It's quite a good essay, even so.
Even though describes a real situation. It means "despite the fact that" and is a more
emphatic version of though and although.
Even if describes an unreal situation. It means "whether or not" and has to do with the
conditions that may apply.
Even if I leave now, I’ll be too late. (Even if: "whether or not" / "no matter whether" / "just
supposing" ).
The first example describes an unreal situation where we could substitute 'just supposing'
for even if and say: just supposing I had two hours to spare for shopping, I still wouldn't go out
and buy a suit.
The second example describes a real situation where the shopper spent two hours looking for
a particular kind of suit, but couldn't find it. When we attach even to though in this way, we are in
effect saying: you may find this surprising but...!
Even though the injury was serious, she decided to carry on playing. It was an important
match.
I know she'll want to carry on playing, even if she gets injured. It's an important match.
Even though I've cleaned it and polished it, it still doesn't look new.
Even if I clean and polish it, it still won't look new.